TCU edges Stanford 39-37 in thrilling Alamo Bowl

TCU linebacker Travin Howard (32) and safety Niko Small break up a pass intended for Stanford tight end Kaden Smith during the second half of the Cardinal’s Alamo Bowl loss.

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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Stanford running back Bryce Love (20) is pursued by TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney (12) as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, inStanford running back Bryce Love (20) is pursued by TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney (12) as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo: Rodger Mallison, TNS

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Stanford wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside scores one of his three touchdowns on a 14-yard catch in the second quarter at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News

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TCU wide receiver Desmon White (10) celebrates with teammate running back Sewo Olonilua (33) after scoring a touchdown during second half action of the Alamo Bowl against Stanford Thursday Dec. 28, 2017 at theTCU wide receiver Desmon White (10) celebrates with teammate running back Sewo Olonilua (33) after scoring a touchdown during second half action of the Alamo Bowl against Stanford Thursday Dec. 28, 2017 at the Alamodome.

Photo: Austin Gay, Associated Press

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Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello walks off the field following the team's 39-37 loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Austin Gay)

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor (18) scores on a 93-yard touchdown reception against Stanford during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in San Antonio. (APTCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor (18) scores on a 93-yard touchdown reception against Stanford during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News

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TCU quarterback Kenny Hill (7) heads to the end zone for a touchdown during first half action of the Alamo Bowl against Stanford, Thursday Dec. 28, 2017 at the Alamodome.

Photo: Tim Warner, Getty Images

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Kenny Hill #7 of the TCU Horned Frogs scores a touchdown after a reception in the third quarter defended by Malik Antoine #3 of the Stanford Cardinal during the Valero Alamo BowlSAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Kenny Hill #7 of the TCU Horned Frogs scores a touchdown after a reception in the third quarter defended by Malik Antoine #3 of the Stanford Cardinal during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Photo: Tim Warner, Getty Images

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Dalton Schultz #9 of the Stanford Cardinal catches a pass and is tackled by Niko Small #2 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the second quarter during the Valero Alamo Bowl at theSAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Dalton Schultz #9 of the Stanford Cardinal catches a pass and is tackled by Niko Small #2 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the second quarter during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Photo: Tim Warner, Getty Images

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: JJ Arcega-Whiteside #19 of the Stanford Cardinal catches a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter defended by Niko Small #2 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the Valero AlamoSAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: JJ Arcega-Whiteside #19 of the Stanford Cardinal catches a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter defended by Niko Small #2 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

SAN ANTONIO — In a wild Alamo Bowl, Stanford lost some key defensive players, and then it ran out of gas.

No. 13 TCU nailed No. 15 Stanford with a 93-yard touchdown pass and a long score on a punt return, then beat the Cardinal with a field goal by a Bay Area native Thursday night.

Cole Bunce, out of San Jose’s Bellarmine High, booted a 33-yard field goal for the decisive points with 3:07 left as the No. 13 Horned Frogs edged the No. 15 Cardinal 39-37 in one of the best bowl games this season.

“We all knew how this game was going to go,” Stanford head coach David Shaw said. “Two teams that fight and scrap and never quit. It was going to be whoever made the most plays. Once again, proud of our guys for how we fight. We just gave up too many plays.”

Kenny Hill, TCU’s quick and resourceful quarterback, passed for 314 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown and scored another on a pass from receiver Desmon White.

Before a crowd of 57,653 at the Alamodome, the Cardinal’s Bryce Love rushed 26 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Love broke Stanford’s single-season rushing record, held by Christian McCaffrey (2,019 yards in 2015), by finishing with 2,118 yards.

K.J. Costello, playing with an injured throwing hand, completed 15 of 27 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns, all of them to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, who set an Alamo Bowl record..

Cardinal safety Justin Reid went out in the second quarter with an injury and didn’t come back. “To lose one of the best players in America at his position is difficult,” Shaw said.

Safety Frank Buncom, who had two interceptions, later left after a crushing hit by TCU running back Sewo Olonilua. The defense also lost outside linebacker Curtis Robinson.

“I’ll say it again and again and again,” Shaw said. “To sit there at 1-2 at the beginning of the season and fight back to get to the Pac-12 championship game … says a lot about the guys on this football team.”

Stanford (9-5) failed to reach 10 wins for only the second time in Shaw’s seven years as head coach. His bowl record fell to 4-3.

Trailing 21-3 in the second quarter and 21-10 at the half, TCU scored on a trick play moments into the second half. Hill lateraled to White, who threw back to Hill, who ran down the left sideline for a 27-yard touchdown. The kick failed, so Stanford’s lead was 21-16.

Love, generally contained by TCU’s quick defense, finally broke loose for a 69-yard touchdown in the third quarter. He barely outraced cornerback Jeff Gladney to the left pylon, giving the Cardinal a 28-16 lead. It was Love’s 13th run of 50 yards or longer this season, extending his FBS record.

Later in the quarter, Hill, after keeping the play alive on a long scramble, hit White for an 11-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 28-23.

Jet Toner’s 27-yard field goal, set up by Cameron Scarlett’s 50-yard catch-run play, pushed the lead to 31-23 before TCU closed it to 31-29 early in the fourth quarter on Hill’s 93-yard pass to Jalen Reagor. Passing from his own end zone, Hill connected with Reagor just past midfield, and the receiver beat cornerback Alameen Murphy and safety Ben Edwards to the end zone. Guard Garrett Altman, lining up as an eligible receiver, couldn’t handle Hill’s pass for a two-point conversion.

The Horned Frogs scored on another electrifying play a few minutes later when White returned a punt 76 yards, giving TCU the lead for the first time, at 36-31.

Costello’s third TD pass of the game to Arcega-Whiteside, a 4-yarder, gave Stanford a 37-36 lead with 6:42 remaining. On an attempt for a two-point conversion, Costello’s pass was too high for Kaden Smith.